Start by placing your 1-inch pieces of chicken breast in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until well combined. Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and garlic powder. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of flavors. This will be the crispy coating that takes your nuggets to the next level.
After marinating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Take each piece, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off, and then coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated for maximum crunch. Repeat until all chicken pieces are coated.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This ensures that the nuggets will cook evenly and achieve that crispy exterior.
Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Place the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping the nuggets halfway through for even cooking.
While the nuggets are cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir in the Frank's Red Hot Sauce until well combined. This spicy, buttery sauce is what gives your nuggets that classic buffalo flavor.
Once the chicken nuggets are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer. Immediately toss them in the buffalo sauce until well coated. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or blue cheese, and enjoy!
